Abstract: Strategy-proof mechanisms eliminate the possibility for gain from strategic misrepresentation of preferences. If market participants respond optimally, these mechanisms
permit the observation of true preferences and avoid the implicit punishment of market participants
who do not try to “game the system.” Using new data from a flagship application
of the matching literature—the medical residency match—I study if these potential benefits
are fully realized. I present evidence that some students pursue futile attempts at strategic
misrepresentation, and examine the causes and correlates of this behavior. These results inform
the assessment of the costs and benefits of strategy-proof mechanisms, and demonstrate
broad challenges in mechanism design.

From a survey of graduating medical students: "I find that 17% of students self-assess their preference reporting strategy to be nontruthful,
with 5% directly attributing this nontruthful behavior to strategic considerations."